First Kalima Understanding meaning and translation

First Kalima also read as Kalma Tayyab is the first pillar of Islam and a statement of allegiance with Allah and Prophet Muhammad (SAW). The first part of this Kalma asserts the belief in the Oneness of Allah (Tauheed) and the second segment underscores the belief in Hazrat Muhammad (SAW) as the final prophet and messenger of Allah. Embracing the first Kalima is like crossing a bridge by which you leave behind the darkness of shirk and enter the light of faith (Imaan). In this blog, we will dive deep to understand 1st kalma in Arabic, the translation of first kalma, its meaning, and its significance in detail. 

What is the kalima? Understanding Kalima Meaning

Reading and memorizing the kalmas and other supplications are considered sacred deeds in Islam. Before going to understand 1 kalma in Arabic, let's understand What is the kalima and what kalma means in different contexts.

The Arabic word ‘kalma(كَلِمَة)’ means ‘word or speech’.  Kalima meaning, In theological concept, is an Islamic statement of declaration of belief (Aqeedah) and allegiance with the God Almighty. Kalma in essence, is more popular in South Asian countries such as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan. In these countries, kalmas are the sacred statements that every Muslim should read and memorize in Arabic. These duas are based on Hadiths and six kalmas have been compiled by scholars which articulate the basic belief.

Explaining First Kalima Tayyab Meaning

Tayyab(ﻃَﻴِّﺐ) is an Arabic word that means “pure or purity”. In the Islamic concept, recitation, and acceptance of the first kalima tayyab purifies one from Shirk and leads to the light of Tawheed.

 The 1 Kalima also purifies the soul and sins committed in the past. After embracing Kalma 1, It becomes more than just a phrase. It shapes our worldview and reminds us of the worth of worshiping Allah Almighty and following the teachings of the beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAW)

1st Kalma in Arabic

لَآ اِلٰهَ اِلَّا اﷲُ مُحَمَّدٌ رَّسُوْلُ اﷲ

First Kalma Translation in English 

Uttering Islamic supplications is not enough. It is important to understand the true meaning and spirit of these Duas. Kalma in English translation assists in getting the true message and importance of these simple yet powerful Dhikrs. Here we provide the first kalma in English translation for the sake of understanding of this sacred statement.

“There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad (SAW) is the Messenger of Allah.”

1st Kalima Transliteration

Transliteration is the process of conversion of a word, text, or script from one writing system to another. It is designed to convey the pronunciation of the original word in a different script to help readers of that script pronounce the original word correctly. Here we design 1st Kalima transliteration to make it easy to read. The main reason is to make it easy for those who can’t read the Arabic script to read the Arabic of duas and supplications.

La ilaha illa Allahu, Muhammadur Rasulullah

Significance of First Kalma

Every building that sustains for a long time has a strong foundation. The same is true in the case of religion. Every religion in the world, either Abrahamic or non Abrahamic has the foundation on which the entire edifice of religion stands. First Kalma is the foundation of Islamic belief. This kalma underlines the oneness of the Almighty Allah and the Prophethood of Muhammad (SAW). Holding both of these concept is mandatory to entering the threshold of Islam.

فَٱعْلَمْ أَنَّهُۥ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا ٱللَّهُ  Quran 47:19

So, know well,( O  Prophet SAW), that there is no god worthy of worship except Allah (Quran 47:19)  

Benefits of 1st kalima

1 Kalma Completes the Iman

All creatures including human have been created to worship Allah. Muslims are blessed to have Islam as a Deen(religion). 1st Kalma is a gateway to Islam. By reading and confessing this phrase, a Muslim completes his Imaan. According to Hadith (At-Trimidhi2609), narrated by Ibne Umar, Prophet (SAW) said;

"Islam is based upon five: the testimony of (لَآ اِلٰهَ اِلَّا اﷲُ))and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, the establishment of the Salat, giving the Zakat, fasting (the month of) Ramadan, and performing Hajj to the House.

Kalima 1 Strengthens the Belief of Khatm e Nabuwwat

The belief in the finality of the Prophet (SAW) is at the heart of Islam. Kalima 1 reinforces and fortifies this concept. A Muslim who does not embrace khatme Nabuwwat is considered eliminated from Islam. This concept is explicitly mentioned in the Holy Quran.

  مَّا كَانَ مُحَمَّدٌ أَبَآ أَحَدٍۢ مِّن رِّجَالِكُمْ وَلَـٰكِن رَّسُولَ ٱللَّهِ وَخَاتَمَ ٱلنَّبِيِّـۧنَ ۗ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَىْءٍ عَلِيمًۭا  (Al-Ehzab:40)

Muhammad (SAW) is not the father of any of your men, but He is the Messenger of Allah and the last of the Prophets (seal of Prophets), and Allah is the perfect Knower of everything. (Al-Ehzab;40)

First Kalimah Causes Ease at the Time of Death

Every creature is mortal and destined to death. The process and stages of death are much harder and painful. Uttering the first kalimah prevents difficulties and causes easiness at the time of death. Our Holy Prophet (SAW) has mentioned seeking refuge with Allah from the difficulty of death. According to Hadith (Sunan Ibn Majah 1444) Prophet (SAW) said: 

“Urge your dying ones to say La ilaha illallah.

Kalima Tayyiba Promotes Unity

Muslims are widely spread around the globe. They belong to different regions, tribes, colors, and cultures. These differences cause a split among societies. But in Islam, a cohesive force binds all the Mulims in a single knot; that adhesive force is the Kalima Tayyiba. This Kalma provides a plate form for Muslims to throw away the yoke of differences and unite in the name of religion-Islam.

Hadiths about Kalma Tayyaba

Kalma Tayyaba exhibits a priceless worth and value in Islam. The virtues and importance are immeasurable and beyond imagination. In a Hadith (Sunan Ibn Majah 3796), narrated from Mu’adh bin Jabal(R.A) the Prophet (SAW) said; 

“There is no soul that died bearing witness to La ilaha illallah, and that I am the Messenger of Allah, from the heart with certainty, but Allah will forgive it.”

In another Hadith (At-Tirmidhi 2609) Muhammad (SAW) describes the pillar of Islam and said that;

“Islam is based upon five: the testimony of La Ilaha Illallah, and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, the establishment of the Salat, giving the Zakat, fasting (the month of) Ramadan, and performing Hajj to the House.”

Also in (Sunan Ibn Majah 1444) our beloved Prophet (SAW) said;

 “Urge your dying ones to say لَآ اِلٰهَ اِلَّا اﷲُ.”

So, the importance and virtues of Kalma Tayyaba are evident from the Hadiths mentioned above.

When and where to recite 1st Kalima

 Allah remember those who remember Allah. Every creature of Allah remembers Him in their own way. Muslims are blessed to have supplications and Duas remind them of Allah. 1st kalima is the cornerstone of Islam and a powerful dhikr to remember Allah. In Islam doing Dhikrs and uttering supplications are not time bonds. They can be prayed at any time and place. But there are some Masnoon times to recite the 1st kalima such as repeating it after Adhan, in the ear of a newborn baby. Duas are gifts from Allah they should be accepted and incorporated into our daily lives. It is the experience of elders that recital of Kalma Taiba 70,000 times saves from grave & Hell-fire. It is recommended to utter this sacred statement as much as you can.

Conclusion

The Kalma Taiba is at the core of the doctrine of the Islamic belief system. First  Kalima stands as a pivotal element in every Mulim’s life, strengthening faith in the primary tenet of Islam. Its recitation ensures spiritual development in this life and the hereafter.  Its daily utterance should not merely a be ritual but a destination for every Muslim.